⭐Chapter 5: The Knock of Heartbeats
Where the line between duty and heart begins to blur…
The morning was quiet, almost deceptively so. Priya Rajputana sat at her desk, sipping her tea, eyes scanning reports and crime files simultaneously. Her phone rang — a sudden intrusion into the calm.
She picked it up.
DIG Atul Deshmukh (serious, steady voice):
"Miss Rajputana, PI Karishma Singh will replace Sunidhi Sharma. She's brave, honest, and competent. Her official orders have been emailed."
Priya acknowledged briefly,
"Thank you, Sir. Jai Hind."
Even as she hung up, her mind raced. The murder of Sunidhi Sharma was only the beginning. Every detail mattered. Every move counted.
The Arrival at the Station
Outside, the black SUV rolled through the station gates. Officers snapped to attention, papers fluttering, chairs straightening, and caps settling into place. The moment Priya stepped out of the vehicle, a hush fell over everyone. Her walk was steady, commanding, her gaze unwavering.
Police Staff (in unison): "Jai Hind, Sir!"
Priya didn't pause. She strode past the lineup of officers, making her way directly to her office, her presence radiating authority.
Inside the SP Office
"All senior officers, be in my cabin within five minutes," Priya commanded, voice calm but sharp.
The team prepared quickly. Minutes later, Priya's phone buzzed again. Karishma Singh had arrived, standing at attention.
"Jai Hind, Sir. PI Karishma Singh reporting."
Priya nodded, approving,
"Jai Hind, Karishma. Good. Let's move — everyone follow me."
A soft voice called out. Karishma's mother appeared, concern etched on her face.
"Ma'am, stay safe. I'll wait here."
"Thank you, Mom. After duty, we'll go together," Karishma replied gently.
Priya directed her guard to take Karishma's mother home, then called Siya to update her. The stakes were high, and time was of the essence.
En Route to the Crime Scene
The SUV cut through the empty streets, approaching the ruins along the National Highway. The sun was setting, shadows stretching long and ominous. Karishma's voice trembled slightly.
"Sir… could I have accompanied her?"
Priya's gaze stayed forward, unwavering.
"This might take the entire night. The case must be solved. The system's credibility is at stake."
Karishma saluted.
"Understood, Sir."
The Crime Scene
The team arrived at the desolate location — an abandoned stretch of highway ruins, the air heavy with tension. Priya stepped out first, her presence commanding even in the fading light. Her eyes scanned every corner, taking in the scene, calculating.
"Do not linger. Scan every inch. Miss a clue, and you will regret it," she ordered, her voice cutting through the stillness.
The forensic team quickly moved into position. Karishma noticed blood stains and a broken nail on the ground.
"Ma'am, here are blood marks, and this seems like a broken nail," she reported.
Priya crouched slightly, examining the evidence. Thoughts raced: The attack didn't happen where the body was found. Someone moved it deliberately. The killer was strong, careful, and precise. This was no ordinary crime.
She called the forensic team,
"Send blood, nail, and the cloth caught in the wire for DNA. The warning note as well — I don't leave anything to chance."
Back at the Station – Night
Priya stood by her desk, holding a cup of tea, but her mind was elsewhere — analyzing, connecting, anticipating.
"Ma'am, the case seems complex. Who could be involved?" Karishma asked.
Priya's eyes narrowed.
"This isn't a normal case. Sunidhi may have seen something… something that's part of a larger conspiracy, or perhaps a plot against the country itself."
She issued precise instructions.
"Pull all footage from cameras around the ruins. Check toll data. Track any suspicious vehicles."
Karishma and the team moved immediately. The camera lingered on Priya's face — focused, sharp, every thought racing, every possibility considered.
Morning – Karishma's Home
Karishma's mother was unwell. Siya, Riya, Kaka Babu, and Avnya sat by her side.
"Ma'am, how are you feeling?" Avnya asked.
"Forget me. Just keep Karishma safe. This case feels dangerous," her mother replied.
Kaka Babu handed a cup of tea, smiling faintly.
"We're all with her. SP Priya and PI Karishma — they don't back down."
Hope mixed with worry in their eyes. The night had been long, but the storm was only beginning.
Questions That Hang in the Air
What will the PM report reveal? Will it shift the case entirely?
Does the blood belong solely to Sunidhi Sharma, or could it indicate the killer?
What dangerous plot lies behind this murder?
Could Anushka Arora or her uncle Keshav Kulkarni be connected?
How will this case affect Abhay and Priya's relationship?
For now, all eyes remain on DNA and PM reports. But one thing is certain — SP Priya Singh Rajputana is ready to face any danger head-on, and the line between duty and heart is about to blur.
The storm has begun…
Stay tuned for the next chapter of Royal Vardi: The Reign of a Royal Heart.